The popular 7-inch Android tablets currently out there such as the Google Nexus 7 are quite affordable. But here’s something that’s for those of you who are on a very, very tight budget. The Maxwest TAB-7155DC (aka Ippo Y88) is an Android 4.1.1 tablet which costs just $65, and it’s being shown off at CTIA 2013.

But, as you might have guessed by now, that very low price tag certainly doesn’t mean a high end machine. It features a 7-inch 1024 x 600-pixel capacitive multitouch LCD screen, which apparently is coming with poor viewing angles and is not covered with glass but a scratch prone acrylic cover.

There’s a 1GHz dual-core Cortex A5 CPU with Mali 400 GPU, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage (microSD support is there), front and back VGA cameras, WiFi b/g/n and a 2800mAh battery. But no Bluetooth or GPS radios. And you will also find micro-USB port (with on-the-go), mini-HDMI output, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with microphone and speaker. The device will be available in black, white, silver, red, blue and pink.

The slate will give you access to the Play Store and its build quality and performance appear to be quite decent for that much money. But these very cheap tablets usually arrive with a ton of problems. We suggest going for the 7-inchers from Acer or Asus. There are also really cheap Hisense tablets that have beefier specs for around $99 and $150 (depending on model) that are soon making their way over to Walmart.

[Source]

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Microsoft’s Windows 8 isn’t going the direction in which the company thought it would go, with sales being somewhat limited. This might end once Intel’s “Bay Trail” Atom processor launches later this year, though.

According to CEO Paul Otellini, with the arrival of Bay Trail chips the prices for the Windows 8 tablets as well as touchscreen laptops are “going to be down to as low as $200“. At present, a tablet coming equipped with a dual-core “Clover Trail” Atom processor costs closer to $400-$550.

The upcoming chip, which will feature four redesigned Atom cores, is coming with double the computing performance of Intel’s current tablets, and it will improve on energy efficiency as well, according to the company.

Certainly things won’t be easy for Windows 8 tablets, whether they are super-powered or not, even if it is available with a price tag between $200 and $300 since there are many Android tablets, including the 7-inch Nexus 7, in that price range. And of course Windows 8 has already suffered from negative reviews and a scarcity of apps.

Do you think that the future Windows 8 tablets running Bay Trail are going to do well on the market?

[Source]

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Sometimes the simplest gadgets in life prove to be the most useful. Do you find that you’re lacking in USB ports on your tablet or notebook? Check out this sweet deal on a USB hub from the fine folks at Belkin. It’s only six bucks.

No, this isn’t exactly the fanciest thing in the world, but it certainly gets the job done. The Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub is exactly what you think it is. You plug into the integrated USB 2.0 cable into an available port on your desktop PC, laptop, tablet or whatever else and you effectively gain access to four fully functional USB 2.0 ports to handle your various peripherals and accessories.

The compact design makes it super easy for travel and since that USB cable is integrated, you don’t have to worry about losing it either. Naturally, it’s backwards-compatible with USB 1.1 devices too, but I can’t imagine you have too many of those kicking around anymore. The USB 2.0 transfer speed can kick up to 480Mbps. There are no need for drivers, as it’s plug-and-play, and since the design puts one USB port on each of the four sides, it can more easily accommodate devices that happen to be a little wider or taller than usual.

The Belkin Ultra-Mini Hub is compatible with both Windows and Mac and it comes backed by a lifetime warranty. Pick it up through Amazon for $5.99, which is $9.00 (60%) off the regular price of $14.99. Tack on a few more items to get up to the $25 minimum and you can get free super saver shipping too.

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Best Buy eventually put up signs saying this price drop was an error and they won’t honor the reduced price. They’ll gladly sell you a Flyer at the full $299 price, of course, but that’s not at all the smoking $99 deal that we all want. Even so, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find someone at your local Best Buy that will honor it… or perhaps a lawyer.

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On the Apple side of the equation, if you want an iPhone without the phone, you might consider getting an iPod touch. On the Android side of the equation, if you want an Android phone without a phone, you might turn to something like the newly announced Primer Pocket tablet from Skytex.

With its 4.3-inch multi-touch display, the Primer Pocket is pretty much the same size as many Android smartphones. It doesn’t do the phone thing, but you have to realize that it carries a MSRP of just $99. That’s crazy cheap, considering that something like the Galaxy S II sells for over $600 unlocked and unsubsidized.

Not surprisingly, there are some shortcomings that explain the lower price. For starters, it only ships with Android 2.2 Froyo. Secondly, there is no Android Market support. Instead, you get pre-installed games and access to a GetJar market instead. That’s not really the same thing at all, but at least it’s something. Rounding out the specs on this sub-$100 unit are WiFi-b/g/n, g-sensor, 4GB flash memory, microSD slot for up to 16GB more, and a “slim and lightweight design.” The emphasis is on affordability, so if you’re looking for a cheap way to get on Android, this could be it. Look for it later this month through select online retailers.

The post Skytex Primer Pocket 4.3-inch Android media tablet only $99 appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

I thought they re-engineered Fido to compete with Solo and Koodo, but I guess Chatr is here to compete with the likes of Wind and Mobilicity. As I understand it, the new Chatr wireless brand will offer unlimited talk and text plans that are more in line with the bottom bracket competition. They’re also doing no contracts, just like the other newcomers.  The rumor is that Chatr will launch with the Nokia 2680 Slide, LG Sapphire, and Samsung Gravity. We’re also hearing that Chatr will be made available initially in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver later this summer. These happen to be the same markets where guys like Wind are making some headway. No matter to Rogers, they already have quite the infrastructure already in place.

[Press Release]

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